Recently I walked with my dogs from Chiseldon along the cycle track to Coate Water.

Going around the lake I observed crested grebes, coots, moorhens, ducks, swans and herons.

I stood and watched as a heron dived, caught a fish, flew back to the bank and devoured its catch.

The lake is close to the eastern boundary of the Coate Water Country Park.

If, as the developers indicate, the housing which will accompany the industrial development and university campus comes up to the boundary, what chance has the wildlife of survival?

Future generations will not have the pleasure and privilege of observing what I witnessed the other morning.

Will members of the borough council please think hard about how their decisions can ruin forever a beautiful and peaceful haven for wildlife and a wonderful resource for the people of Swindon?

Future generations will not thank them if they create a concrete jungle around Coate.

T BARRY

Chiseldon